The Supreme Court temporarily blocked an order late Friday night that would have forced the government to backfill the country’s largest anti-hunger program — a move the administration claimed would require it to “raid school lunch money” to keep families fed.

The decision, issued on behalf of the court by Associate Justice Ketanji ...Read more

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Friday granted the Agriculture Department’s request for administrative stays on two federal court orders requiring the agency to fully pay November food stamp benefits.

The high court intervention came hours after an appellate court denied the request for a stay. It also came hours after the department ...Read more

The Trump administration spent Friday fighting to avoid restoring $4 billion in food assistance in jeopardy due to the government shutdown, suggesting it might need to “raid school lunch money” in order to comply with court orders.

The claim was part of a break-neck appeal in the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday, where the government ...Read more

WASHINGTON — The Agriculture Department on Friday said it will fully fund November food stamp benefits in compliance with a federal court order but also on Friday asked the Supreme Court to immediately block the order while it appeals.

“This Court’s intervention is urgently needed,” the administration said in its filing to the highest ...Read more

“I hope this is going to be enough,” said the coordinator at Silver Lake Community Church food pantry, wiping her forehead as she chopped off bad ends of donated celery. Every Wednesday morning for the past year, I, along with a dozen or so other volunteers, sort and pack donated food for about 150 families.

But a few months ago, the food ...Read more

WASHINGTON — A U.S. judge ordered Trump officials to fully cover the cost of food-aid benefits for more than 42 million eligible Americans this month, rejecting an administration plan to only partially fund the program during the government shutdown.

The order from U.S. District Judge John McConnell on Thursday means that the U.S. Department ...Read more

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Father Jim Sichko, the Kentucky priest known for bringing Pappy and other premium bourbons to the Pope, is releasing the third in his series of Papal barrel picks from Willett Distillery.

The new release, rounding out what Sichko calls “the Holy of Holy Spirits,” will be available beginning Nov. 11 online and in select ...Read more

The Trump administration faces a new challenge in the battle over food assistance benefits amid a federal funding lapse — a lawsuit filed by recipients who say they’re in danger of going hungry.

The proposed class-action suit comes as the administration has sent conflicting signals about whether it will comply with court orders to continue ...Read more

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Tuesday said the administration won’t pay food stamp benefits until after the partial government shutdown ends, in potential defiance of a federal court order and in conflict with what his administration told a judge Monday, but he was contradicted several hours later by his spokesperson.

Trump’s ...Read more

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Tuesday said the administration won’t pay food stamp benefits until after the partial government shutdown ends, in potential defiance of a federal court order and in conflict with what his administration told a judge Monday.

His post on the social media site Truth Social came even as the Agriculture ...Read more

As the government shutdown drags into its fifth week, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, has become just another casualty of the Donald Trump administration’s cruelty. Without congressional action, millions of Americans may see their SNAP benefits vanish this month — including over 2 million people in Illinois and ...Read more

Chicken cutlets are topped with a spinach-mushroom cream sauce for a flavorful healthy dinner. This dish comes together with myriad flavors in the sauce — all of the pan bits are mixed with spices, vinegar, sour cream and heavy cream for richness. You’ll be blown away at how much flavor this packs in. Serve over pasta or grains to soak up ...Read more

Tiny and delicate, watercress is the picture of serenity along softly moving springs and creeks.

The folklore

Don’t be fooled — this leafy green is surprisingly bold with its peppery taste and crisp bite. Watercress is known around the world with a history that began more than 2,000 years ago. Enjoyed by ancient Persians, ...Read more

Belgian endive is the perfect Seriously Simple vegetable for cocktail parties. Spoon a small dollop of herbed cream cheese on the tip and garnish with bay shrimp. Or try a dab of sour cream and a garnish of chopped smoked salmon and a sprinkling of dill for an elegant pick-up dish. You are only limited by your imagination. And the elegant endive...Read more

Pantry pasta dinners deserve their recognition. Boiling salted water and cooking a high-quality dried pasta package results in homemade goodness with minimal mess and effort. I’ll never turn down perfectly cooked pasta topped with olive oil or butter and cheese, but that can become a bit repetitive over time.

To elevate that pasta into an ...Read more

If you’re swimming in leftover mashed potatoes after all your guests have come and gone, look no further than these potato pancakes.

While there are many Thanksgiving leftovers that ...Read more

While I enjoy vegetables cooked until they’re crisp-tender, I’m also a big fan of veggies that have been cooked until meltingly tender and soft (especially because that gives them time to absorb the other flavors). Melted cabbage has crispy, caramelized ...Read more

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration told a federal judge Monday it will deplete what remains of a $6 billion contingency fund to pay a portion of food stamp benefits in November amid the ongoing partial federal government shutdown.

The court filings responded to an order over the weekend from Chief Judge John J. McConnell Jr. of the U.S. ...Read more

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration told a federal judge Monday that it will comply with a court order to fund U.S. food aid benefits for November during the government shutdown, but only at 50% of the amount that eligible households normally receive.

A U.S. Department of Agriculture official also warned the court that it could take some ...Read more

This time of year, it’s hard not to succumb to the cozy flavors of fall. Pumpkin spice infuses everything from lattes to cereal, apples are everywhere and cinnamon and cardamom permeate both professional and home kitchens.

Cocktails are no exception. Bar menus add cinnamon sticks and rosemary to the garnish rotation, and cider drinks become ...Read more